Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the US has approved the final environment impact statement for a new $1.76bn light rail line, moving the project to construction phase.

The line will run downtown through South Los Angeles to the Green Line, which stops nearly a mile from Los Angeles International Airport.

The Crensha / LAX Transit Corridor Project light rail line will connect the Expo Line to the Metro Green Line with six stations.

Work on the 8.5-mile project is expected to begin next year with completion expected by 2018.